Penrith punish rusty Roosters
4 hours ago | Aidan Edgecomb
North Harbour Tigers and Canterbury Bulls have filled the two vacant positions left in the Top 5 of the Bartercard Cup competition following Round 16 played over the weekend. They now join Marist Richmond Brothers, Mt Albert Lions and the newly merged Otahuhu Ellerslie clubs in the finals starting next weekend.
Marist Richmond Brothers are the Minor Premiers for 2004 and have the advantage of a bye next weekend. Marist Richmond ended round robin play by scoring nine tries to six in beating the Glenora Bears 44-28 to finish with 27 competition points.
The Wellington side finished with a powerful win over the Lions with their Junior Kiwi players back amongst the side and were unfortunate not to secure a spot for the finals.
The Bulls had a scrappy win over the Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions in Christchurch to cement their position in the Top 5, a game that saw 20 penalties in the game, 13 in just the first half, and the sin-binning of 2 Stallions players which ultimitely lead to the Bulls victory.
Counties Manakau Jets put themselves out of play-off contention when a fired up Central Falcons side defeated them by 27-12 at Palmerston North.
Otahuhu Ellerslie beat the Hibiscus Coast Raiders 30-10, so all the playoff teams except Mt Albert finished with good wins to carry momentum into the four-week finals series.
The North Harbour Tigers trounced the Eastern Tornadoes by 58-14 to take up their position in the play-offs finishing 1 point ahead of the Bulls to take 4th spot.
The winner of next weekend's match between Mt Albert and Otahuhu Ellerslie will take on Marist Richmond for a spot in the Grand Final, while the loser will play the winner of Tigers vs Bulls match.
Results from Round 16:
Central Falcons 27 W.Live, S. Forbes, N. Hohaia (2) N. Hohaia (3) goals N. Hohaia DG Counties Manukau Jetz 12 G. Leota, A. Moerua tries A. Clyde (2) goals Halftime - 16 - 6 to Central Falcons
Mt Albert Lions 16 R. Godfrey, R. Baxter, L. Talamaivoa tries S. Buckingham (2) goals Wellington 38 C. Fox, J. Davis (2), I. Tumua, S. Mannering (2), J. Carnegie tries E. Vaa (5) goals
Halftime 24 - 12 to Wellington
Glenora Bears 28 L. Waqa (4), H. Guttenbeil, G. Bailey tries K. Alifosio (2) goals Marist Richmond Brothers 44 J.Patelesio, T. Ropati, J. Tavita (2), R. Henry, M. Talapapa (2),H. Kapi (2) tries G. Rota (4) goals Halftime 34 - 10 to Marist Richmond Brothers
Canterbury Bulls 44 J. McDonald, P. McDonald, C. Herekotukutuku (2) J. OBrien, A. Aumatagi, C. Newton (2) J. O'Brien (6) Waicoa Bay Stallions 16 S. Rapira (2), K. Wilson tries H. Wilson, T. Mathews goals Halftime - 14 - 6 to Canterbury Bulls
Eastern Manukau Tornadoes 14 T. Leanoa, K. Fakalata, W. Morunga tries H. Rangi goal Nth HarbourTigers 58 T. Berry, T. Samoa, L. Copestake (2), J. Golf, D. Glasgow, D. Vasau (3) G. McPherson, T. Ah Vao tries J. Trott (7) goals Halftime 26 - 8 to Nth Harbour Tigers
Hibiscus Coast Raiders 10 Scorers TBA
Otahuhu Ellerslie 30 Scorers TBA
First week of the Bartercard Cup finals:
North Harbour Tigers vs Canterbury Bulls at Ericsson no 2 Saturday 28th August, 2:30pm Kick off
Otahuhu Ellerslie vs Mt Albert Lions at Ericsson Stadium Sunday 29th August 11:30 am Kick off (curtain raiser to Warriors vs Roosters match)